Report: JaVale McGee close to Philippines deal

Less than a month removed from one of the most ridiculous stories you're going to hear, JaVale McGee is set to make a pretty brilliant career move. McGee famously told reporters after a union meeting in Los Angeles that some players were "ready to fold." Then, realizing the trouble he was in, denied saying it, saying the media was twisting things. Unfortunately, every one of those reporters had some sort of recording device. Whoops. But now McGee is set to do something brilliant for his marketing and image. He's embracing the Philipines.

From the Philippine Star:

If everything falls into place, Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have the Washington Wizards’ seven-foot center JaVale McGee as naturalized player for the next FIBA Asia championship.

McGee had been in the country twice in the last four months and, in his last visit, expressed willingness to be part of the Philippine team vying for a slot in the 2014 World Championship.

The STAR source said McGee and the Smart Gilas people have reached an agreement to pursue the same direction Marcus Douthit had gone through enabling the latter to play for the Phl team in the recent Asian joust in Tianjin, China.

Filipinos, are, to be honest, nuts about basketball. They're in love with it. It's a huge sport there, and the exhibition this past summer with Kobe Bryant et al is a sign of that. This won't help McGee develop into a better defender or to add a mid-range game. But it will help his career in terms of marketing. He could also use the uneequivocal love he will receive from the country. Being in a place that supportive might not be great for his ego but it will be good for his confidence. Pretty genius move.